Celebrating Two Decades of the Tomb Raider

Lara Croft has taken us to the deepest, darkest corners of the earth for the sake of exploration and discovery. Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are celebrating alongside their fans with the Rise of the Tomb Raider -20 Year Celebration- Edition. As the latest game in the beloved franchise, Rise of the Tomb Raider is a crowning achievement to the series and remains to be just as addictive as the 2013 edition. As she transcends, becoming something more than a survivor, in Rise of the Tomb Raider takes Lara to a dangerous world of secret organizations and mystery to seek the truth. The franchise seems to have a bright future ahead of it as Square Enix is furthering investments in this great action-adventure roller coaster.

The new 20 Year Celebration edition comes with with many new features as well as the previous DLC content from the prior year. You unlock many outfits and weapons to start off your expedition with flair. I personally love the classic “skins” bringing in Lara’s retro model from the first games. Also the “Extreme Survivor” difficulty (which is beyond my skill level) adds to the challenge if you wish to revisit Story Mode. The new DLC Blood Ties adds an endurance mode which is addictive and also supports PlayStation VR. This edition of the Rise of the Tomb Raider is the complete package for veterans and new fans alike.

My first exposure to the world of Lara Croft was Tomb Raider 2 on the PC. I always loved the sense of immersion the game brought in as you delve deep into dungeons, tombs, and crypts. The combat was also what kept me coming back for more. Rise of the Tomb Raider felt like a breathe of fresh air that I never knew I needed. The OCD in me constantly triggers in every new region and expedition in which I MUST complete and collect everything. I often catch myself losing tack of time pursuing new challenges or hunting critters for hides. I praise the crafting and gathering mechanics of Rise of the Tomb Raider because it feels so natural just stumbling upon resources. I usually get spooked easily, to the point that I take long breaks so I can collect myself and jump back into the wilderness. The beauty of the region also gives breath-taking views of nature as I pause to soak all the majesty in. The care and passion the developers put into creating Rise of the Tomb Raider is as clear as the blue skies we all live under.

I sure hope that Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix continue to further push the limits to create a new masterpiece for this well-known and celebrated franchise. Lara Croft is a gaming icon,with her beautiful-as-deadly persona captivated many in pop culture. It’s wonderful to see the franchise progressing from humble video game beginnings and expanding to comic books, movies, and other media. The sheer amounts of awards and accolades the series has under its belt is pretty astonishing in my eyes. Guinness World Records even honored Lara Croft with “Most Magazine Covers for a Video Game Character” and “Largest Gathering Of People Dressed As Lara Croft.” Tomb Raider will always have a special place in many hearts. Its sense of adventure and discovery can never be satiated within the human spirit.

By jonnyboy0079

jonnyboy0079 is a ten-year Graphic Designer vet currently in the workforce. He views life and what it offers with optimism. Mostly on his free time he casually games (Tabletop/PC/Consoles) and sketch his mind.